New interview at Retro Ridoctopus

Making my second appearance in the brig of the Retro Ridoctopus podcast. We discuss HEROES AMONG SHADOWS, and follow various tangents, as per usual.

Paul R. McNamee, Brig #2

HEROES AMONG SHADOWS Book Launch Day!

My first collection, HEROES AMONG SHADOWS, is now released!

It is available at Amazon. I have also put it through IngramSpark. If you prefer other platforms, check to see if it is available. (Or, if you want your local bookstore to order it!)

These stories will take you to tropical islands where spears and sorcery stand against gods and demons. You will meet a girl and her troll. Journey to a shadowy past where a veteran of the American Revolutionary War confronts dark forces. Travel to strange planets far away, and experience war in a North American timeline that never was.

There are two new stories in the book. The rest have been pulled together from previous publications.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Lono and the Little Gods
Pouring Whiskey in My Soul
The Pit of Punhaki
Claws of the Puma
The Island of Shadows
The Wreck of the Black Swan
The Vulture God
A Gate In Darkness
The Toll Taker and the Troll
Pearls of Uraton
Montreal Is Burning
Story Notes

Again worth a call out; Jeffrey Hayes of PlasmaFire Graphics did the cover!

HEROES AMONG SHADOWS, May 14th, 2024

I've chosen May 14th for the release of my first collection of short stories. Nearly all of these tales have been previously published, and there is a new story here for the first time (the story, in fact, which the cover art illustrates.)

These stories will take you to tropical islands where spears and sorcery stand against gods and demons. You will meet a girl and her troll. Journey to a shadowy past where a veteran of the American Revolutionary War confronts dark forces. Travel to strange planets far away, and experience war in a North American timeline that never was.

I could probably get the book out earlier, but first-time jitters. I want lead time if I need it. As of now, I put the book through KDP. Awaiting the print proof.

I also plan on listing through IngramSpark, so that bookstores and libraries can (or, will be more willing) to order the book.

Because of the way KDP works, the Kindle edition is already listed for pre-order!

We've lost Jim Moore

Writer James A. Moore has passed away.

Per Christopher Golden;

Celebrated horror and fantasy author James A. Moore passed away this morning at the age of 58. Moore was the author of more than fifty horror and fantasy novels, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and the grimdark fantasy series Seven Forges and Tides of War. Moore also co-wrote many novels and stories with his longtime collaborator Charles R. Rutledge. His early career highlights included major contributions to White Wolf Games’ World of Darkness, and he was especially proud of his first comic book script sale, to Marvel Comics original series set in the world of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser. A prolific and versatile writer, Jim wrote novels based on various media properties, including Alien, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Avengers. He was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award three times, for his novel Serenity Falls, in the long fiction category for Bloodstained Oz, a collaboration with Christopher Golden, and as editor (with Golden) for the groundbreaking horror anthology The Twisted Book of Shadows, for which the pair won the Shirley Jackson Award. Beyond his work, Jim Moore was a much-beloved figure in the horror community, a tireless champion of other writers and their work, who mentored dozens of new writers, relentlessly urging them to pursue their desire to tell stories. He is survived by his wife, Tessa Moore, and his legions of readers. No wake or funeral is planned, but a celebration of life will be held sometime in April.

Jim's reach touched a wide community of writers (and others.) We're all gutted.

I first met Jim in person at NECON in 2014. Shortly afterward, Jim moved north to Massachusetts (from Georgia.) That made us happy and lucky up here--and I got to interact with Jim at more local get-togethers and events, aside from an annual NECON meetup.

As prolific a writer as he was, he gave back with "tough love" encouragement that one does not soon forget (always in humor and a twinkle in his eye.)

"How's your manuscript? My slapping hand is just fine. Thanks for asking." 

"If your manuscript isn't finished now, it will take you twice as long after I break your arm."

"If you don't write your novel, how will we know how brilliant you are?"

Or the simple and direct, "Ass in chair."

His laugh was boisterous, his smile infectious, and his bear hugs put chiropractors out of business.

He will be missed--fiercely.

coming soon ... HEROES AMONG SHADOWS!

 Cover reveal!

COMING SOON! 

HEROES AMONG SHADOWS, a collection of adventure tales. This collection gathers my published-to-date action/adventure/fantasy/dark-fantasy tales--with a couple of bonus stories appearing here for the first time.

These stories will take you to tropical islands where spears and sorcery stand against gods and demons. You will meet a girl and her troll. Journey to a shadowy past where a veteran of the American Revolutionary War confronts dark forces. Travel to strange planets far away, and experience war in a North American timeline that never was.

Jeffrey Hayes of Plasmafire Graphics knocked this cover out of the park!

Welcome to the dawn of Frizzen Flash Press--where flint strikes steel and creative sparks fly!

writing update, January 2024

Last year, I tried to keep a daily writing journal. That was not a favorable experiment. Fact is, I just don't get to write each day. Things happen. I know time needs to be carved but we don't need to get into that here.

I decided this year maybe a monthly public pulse-taking would serve me better. We'll see.

I hoped to write a novel this year. But I'm ramping up with some short stories first.

Current state of the brag shelf

This month I wrote and submitted one story. I wrote half of another, but missed the open call deadline. I might finish it for another call. Or, it might go in the file for later. There are other calls (two, at least) in March I want to aim for.

Not a lot of writing, but I have been doing the business of writing. I've assembled the content of my first collection. This will be my action/adventure/fantasy tales. I'm gathering previously published stories, with a couple of brand new stories to fill out the volume. (Horror tales will come later this year, in another collection, timed for release around Halloween.)

I wrote the introduction, and the story notes. I've proofed through six of the eleven tales. I reached out to a cover artist.

And that's where I am at.

Brian Lumley has journeyed to the Dreamlands

It was announced on January 28th that horror writer Brian Lumley passed away in early January 2024.

Ironically, I have not read any of his most famous series, NECROSCOPE. I have read many of his Cthulhu Mythos tales. I especially enjoy the Titus Crow series.

In recent years, I discovered his tales of David Hero & Eldin, which are set in Lovecraft's Dreamlands but are far more fantasy/sword-&-sorcery than horror.

via brainlumley.com

International Best Selling Author Brian Lumley sadly passed away at his home this January. He was the winner of many prestigious awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Horror Writer’s Association in 2010. Famous for his groundbreaking Necroscope® series, he went on to become one of the top writers in the Horror field. Although Brian had crossed genres between Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy, Brian had many other series under his belt such as: The Primal Lands, Hero of Dreams, Psychomech, Titus Crow, etc. And of course, all the Mythos stories with his own twist.

After a 22-year stint as a Royal Military Policeman, he had a long and prosperous lifetime of doing what he loved to do, bringing continued enjoyment to all his readers and listeners. Brian has written approximately 60 books along with many, many short stories, and novellas.

He left behind a very large catalog. I still have much to explore.

R.I.P.

Women in Rock Day, 2024

 Some bands/singers worth checking out.

Women in Rock Day, 2024

Saint Jude (featuring Lynne Jackaman)

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Blues Pills (featuring Elin Larsson)

These women are current in rock, but these links are dated. If I'm sharing from YouTube, I prefer live performances.

Saint Jude's guitarist passed away--too young--from cancer. Lynne Jackaman is a solo artist now, leaning a bit more R & B.

Grace Potter is also a solo act, having disbanded the Nocturnals a while ago.

Blues Pills are still going. They've only had minor lineup changes. Larsson is still the singer.